Overview

The technicians of the large animal hospital are well versed at handling multiple different species that are cared for in our hospital. In addition to horses, which comprise much of our case load, our staff also have the opportunity to work with a variety of other species including alpacas, goats and pigs. Our technicians work together with the veterinary teams of residents, interns, and faculty clinicians to provide quality, compassionate, and timely care to all of our hospitalized patients. In addition to caring for our in-house patients, the technicians aid and provide urgent care to incoming emergencies along with our teams of veterinarians, and veterinary students.
As a teaching hospital, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University is well known for the ability to offer a wide variety of cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic options for our large animal patients and their owners. The focus of our work here is to provide medical guidance and care to the patients and clients, as well as providing a solid education to our future veterinary professionals. Our technicians play an integral part in both roles… as caregivers and as educators.

We have over a dozen specialists with extensive experience in large animal Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Sports Medicine; and with this knowledge, the staff can provide our new hires with the training, the tools, and support that they will need to be successful in this environment. Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has excellent resources, and health benefits to offer, and plenty of Continuing Education opportunities to further enhance our staff and our hospital surroundings.

If you are looking for a new challenge and a rewarding experience in the veterinary/large animal field, please consider the opportunities that we have available.

What You'll Do

Responsible for providing high quality nursing care and treatment to all Internal Medicine, General Diagnostics and Surgery Service, and Sports Medicine Service patients as directed by clinicians/residents or supervising technicians. As a team member, assist other technicians in carrying out the daily patient management plan, which includes inpatient care and treatment, providing technical support for other clinicians and students, guidance, and instruction to students on rotation, and assisting with routine/emergency admissions and discharges.

Overall observation of all LA patients. Perform treatments. Assure general comfort and safety of animals and be alert to any unforeseen circumstances. Competently administer Rx as ordered. Provide instruction/assistance to fourth-year students, new hires, and visiting interns, i.e., catheterizations, venipuncture, rough/sterile preps, proper restraint techniques, reflux horses. Assist with discharge/admission of patients, grooming, leg wraps, on-loading and off-loading animals. Follow protocols as set forth by all departments within the HLA and FHSA.
Provide emergency and routine technical assistance for all clinic admissions. Set up colic cart, catheterizations, prepare for abdominocentesis, rectal examination, reflux, assist with proper restraint techniques. Set up and use of Endoscopy equipment, Radiology equipment and various other monitoring and diagnostic devices.
Restocking and cleaning of treatment areas (i.e., inpatient and outpatient treatment rooms, neonatal ward, isolation). Order supplies from Central Sterile as needed to assure adequate supplies are available at all times in the treatment areas. Maintain cleanliness and order in treatment areas as well hospital wards. Follow Biosecurity protocols. Assist in keeping isolation stalls neat and orderly.
Teaching which includes instruction of veterinary students and student technicians in all technical aspects of patient care, and assisting in training, orienting, and mentoring new veterinary technicians in all aspects of the service.
Additional tasks deemed necessary per Supervisor or Hospital Administration

Schedule includes participation in holiday and on-call rotation and may include occasional weekend hours. This position is considered essential and is therefore required to report to work as scheduled during emergency closings.

This is a full-time scheduled position, with the anticipated schedule being Overnights, Sunday 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM, and Monday-Wednesday 11:00 PM -7:00 AM. Once trained there will be an on call shift on Wednesdays 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:
Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

High School Diploma /GED
Large Animal Handling Skills Required
Must have one of the following:A) 3 years of experience as a VT-I in the HLA (or in a similar position)B) Certified Veterinary Technician in good standing.C) Associate OR bachelor's degree from an AVMA-accredited institution providing training in veterinary technology, veterinary nursing, or veterinary science, with 1 year experience as a VT-I in the HLA (or in a similar position)
Technical skills for a Veterinary Technician II would include:
- Identification of animals in pain or distress
- Able to place an IV catheter in adult equids
- Dosage calculations for medications, fluid therapy, and continuous rate infusions.
- Set up fluid therapy systems and fluid therapy monitoring
- Monitoring and identifying physiological parameters in patients under sedation and/or general anesthesia.
- Familiarity with sedatives and tranquilizers
- Ability to use point of care machines (Lactate, Blood Glucose, Foal IgG, NOVA).
- Describe steps required, and be able to assist in CPR.
Computer proficiency/Electronic Medical Records
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.
Veterinary Technician in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications:

Vocational/Technical training or Associate/Bachelor’s Degree
2+ years’ experience
Veterinary Technician Certified
Fear Free Certified

Pay Range

Minimum $25.20, Midpoint $30.10, Maximum $34.90

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Tufts University

Veterinary Technician 2 - Large Animal Hospital

About the job

About the company

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